Russian forces have killed 20 Brazilian mercenaries who fought alongside the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the special military operation zone. Their identities have been established, Russian security sources told TASS.

The Brazilians were killed by Russian troops on different sectors of the front. According to the agency’s source, most of them had been recruited through social media.

After recruitment, the future mercenaries traveled to Colombia, where they signed contracts with the Ukrainian Armed Forces before being sent into the combat zone.

Foreign fighters from Colombia have also drawn attention amid concerns over what could happen after they return home. DR previously wrote that the skills Colombians acquired while fighting in Ukraine could attract the interest of drug cartels.

According to the outlet, experience in operating drones is particularly valuable to criminal groups. Cartels are prepared to pay substantial sums to train their own drone operators.

On August 16, the remains of ten Colombians were identified on the Kupyansk sector in the Kharkov region. They had served with the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, known as Khartiya.

Berliner Zeitung reported on July 18 that 502 Colombian mercenaries serving with the Ukrainian Armed Forces were listed as missing in Ukraine. The German newspaper said Ukrainian authorities had officially included 446 people on the list. In another 56 cases, relatives reported the men missing after losing contact with them.